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College Newsletter - 9 May 2025

Principal’s Report

Dear Students, Parents, Staff, and Marist Friends

Welcome to Term 2!

We are thrilled to welcome everyone back to Term 2. Congratulations to all students on a wonderful start to the term. Their hard work and positive attitude have truly set the tone for a successful term ahead. We hope you had a restful and joyful Easter break, filled with moments of reflection and celebration. Let's carry that spirit of renewal and hope into the new term. I pass on my best wishes for a productive and inspiring Term 2!

The new school term commenced with a full College assembly, which featured a heartfelt prayer of remembrance to acknowledge Pope Francis, followed by a solemn Anzac Day ceremony. We congratulate our students for the respect and reverence they displayed throughout the assembly, reflecting the values of our school community. Their exemplary behaviour set a positive tone for the term ahead.

Pope Francis

Pope Francis was a truly wonderful religious leader whom I admired for his simplicity and authenticity to his calling, specifically his dedication and care for the poor and marginalised. From the many comments and tributes, I connected to this quote. It is a wonderful message for our young men.

All members of the community are invited to share a message in the book of remembrance that has been set up by Sydney Catholic Schools. Please use this link to share a family message.

Year 7

Year 7 have had a very busy and productive start to the term. We would like to congratulate our Year 7 students for their outstanding commitment and positive behaviours displayed during their recent camp. Their enthusiasm and cooperation have laid a strong foundation for lasting bonds and friendships that will enrich their experience at MCK over the next six years. The connections formed and the teamwork demonstrated during camp will undoubtedly contribute to a supportive and vibrant school community. Teachers provided very positive feedback about the Year 7 camp. They praised the students for their enthusiasm, cooperation, and willingness to participate in all activities. Well done Year 7! Our thanks to Mr Kazanis, Mr Duff, Mr Kilpatrick, Mr Lauria, Ms Harrison, Mr Athanaseris, Mrs Cranney, Mrs Crehan, Mr Galvin, and Mr Zilich for their commitment and efforts in providing the students with a memorable experience at camp.

Parent Survey

In the coming weeks the annual Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Survey will soon be open. This survey provides a valuable opportunity for all members of our community to share their feedback on various aspects of College life. Your insights are crucial in helping us shape our plans for school improvement. More information about the survey will be shared with parents in the coming weeks through Compass. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and working together to enhance our school environment.

Finis Coronat Opus. Take care and God Bless.

Mr David Forrester
College Principal

Assistant Principal’s Report

I hope that all families had a very happy and Holy Easter and a restful holiday. I congratulate the students on a wonderful start to Term 2. We began the term with our prayerful reflection on the life of Pope Francis, and our ANZAC Day Ceremony. Students were extremely respectful.

Term 2 is an important time in the College calendar. Assessment tasks, Semester One reports and Parent/Teacher interviews all take place during this term. Assessment Booklets are located on Compass under the “Community” tab, “School Documentation”. Students and parents/careers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the respective Assessment Booklets.

Changes to Sport and Uniform Detentions

The following changes have been made to Sport and Uniform Detentions, effective immediately.

Sports Detention

Sports detentions are issued to students for poor behaviour during Thursday Sports. Students must be given 24-hour notice before a Sports Detention is completed.

Parents and students will be notified via Compass when a Sports Detention is issued.

Injured students attending the College on a Thursday, will complete personal study during Thursday Sport at Sports Detention. These students must provide a note signed by a parent or an email sent by a parent, to Mr Booth, before school or during homeroom on Thursdays.

For any student that attends Student Services between 8.45 am and 12.30 pm on a Thursday reporting illness/injury, parents will be contacted, and they will either be sent home or required to attend their respective Sport.

Uniform Detention

If a student presents at the College out of uniform - summer/ winter or sports uniform, they will be issued a Uniform Matters Chronicle in Compass. If a student receives three Uniform Matters Chronicle’s, they will be issued a College Detention.

Not Present/Late to School

A reminder to parents, that if your son is going to be late to school or is absent from school you are required to add an Attendance Note in Compass to explain this absence/lateness. Failure to do so will result in his attendance records reflecting unexplained absences. All unexplained absences will be recorded on your son’s Semester Reports.

Tutor Program

The College Tutor program resumed this week. It is available for all students to access on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons in the College Library from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm.

Students in Years 7 -10 are not required to book a tutor and should arrive at the Library at 3.00 pm if they wish to seek help from a Tutor. Students in Year 11 and 12 may book a tutor. The Tutor Roster was shared with them in Week 1. Please encourage your sons to access this support.

A reminder to all parents to make suitable arrangements for your sons to get home after the Library closes at 5.00 pm. There is no supervision at the College from 5.00 pm and students are not to remain on the premises after this time.

Student Equipment

A reminder to parents that students should attend school with all required equipment for that day. Please ensure your son brings a fully charged laptop to school.

Can you help our Science Department?

Our amazing Science department is on the lookout for any unwanted or second-hand aquariums and glass tanks you might have lying around at home. These tanks would be invaluable for a range of exciting science experiments and observations, bringing learning to life for our students.

Whether it's a small fish tank, a reptile enclosure, or even just a sturdy glass container, if you're no longer using it, please consider donating it to our Science department. Your generosity would directly contribute to hands-on learning experiences for our students right here at the College.

If you have something suitable that you'd be willing to donate, please contact Mr Almeida in the Science department at robert.almeida@syd.catholic.edu.au or drop it off at the College Reception labelled for the Science department.

Thank you for helping us make Science even more engaging!

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a special time where we give thanks for our mothers in our lives and show appreciation for all they do for us. A reminder the Mother’s Day Mass and Morning Tea will be held on Monday, 12 May at 9.30 am in the Marist Centre. For those who have RSVP’d to attend, please make your way to the basketball court, where your son will meet you.

I wish all mothers, grandmothers and carers a very happy Mother’s Day on Sunday.

I look forward to working with you and your son this term.

Mrs Catherine Roebuck
Assistant Principal

Religious Education Coordinator

ANZAC Ceremony

On Tuesday, 29 April, the College Community remembered the soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, the ANZACS, who landed and fought on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey early on the morning of 25 April 1915 during the First World War.

Marist College Kogarah, in its earlier days, had a long tradition of Army Cadets. This year we had members of both the Army and Air Force participate in the ceremony. A very special thank you to Captain Hook without whom, this procession of cadets, would not have been possible.

We remember with gratitude all men and women who have fought and died in all wars. May their sacrifice never be forgotten and may we continue to cherish the freedom that they fought so hard to secure. May leaders everywhere work for lasting peace, true justice, tolerance and understanding among all people. May they come to know that true peace is the peace of Christ. We remember them.

Kogarah RSL - ANZAC Day Ceremony

On Friday, 25 April, students from MCK represented the College at the annual Kogarah RSL ANZAC commemorative service. Mr Forrester accompanied the students where they marched in the procession and laid a wreath to commemorate all men and women who have fought and died in all wars.

Night Patrol @ MCK

On Tuesday 29 April, Dominic Briscas, Mel Koinis and Lachlan Toshack of Year 11 took part in night patrol, an initiative that proved to be a truly enriching experience. Venturing beyond the familiar confines of their academic pursuits, these students embraced the opportunity to connect with the broader community. Throughout the night, they encountered a diverse array of individuals from various walks of life, each interaction providing a unique perspective and deepening their understanding of the world around them. The night patrol experience not only bolstered our students' commitment to community service but also underscored the importance of empathy, tolerance, and open-mindedness. As they shared stories, offered assistance, and built connections with fellow community members, our students found that the rewards of this endeavour were not just in ensuring safety but in fostering a stronger, more interconnected community. Thank you to Mr Galvin, Ms Rodgers and Ms Harrison for accompanying the students.

Year 7 Bible Presentation

On Wednesday, 6 May, Year 7 were presented with a Bible. Each year Mr Anthony Clearly, Director of Religious Education and Evangelisation Sydney Catholic Schools, provides Year 7 students in all Sydney Archdiocesan schools with a Bible.

Students are currently studying the unit ‘Sacred Scriptures’ in Religious Education further highlighting the importance of our sacred text and the use of it in our everyday lives.

Thank you to Mr Forrester, who presented the students with their Bible.

YMC Events

Please see below a flyer for an upcoming Youth Night that will be run at St Michael’s Parish in Hurstville.

If you would like any further details or would like to attend, please see Mr Ziegenfusz in Room 17.

Mr Mitchell Ward
Acting Religious Education Coordinator

Leader of Teaching and Learning

Year 7 Elevate Program

On Wednesday, 7 May, students completed the second workshop of the Elevate Study Skills Program organised for Year 7 this year. The program in conjunction with student’s teachers plays a role in helping students transition smoothly to high school, fostering study skills and building resilience and confidence.

This week's workshop focused on time management and its importance in managing high school assessments. The workshop looked at developing students' skills on how to create a study routine, prioritising tasks and how to manage homework and revision for tests and formal assessments.

Year 7 will be currently receiving their first assessment tasks in high school, which can be challenging for students as they transition to more formal assessment. The program aims to support students to manage these challenges. I encourage parents to make contact with their son’s teachers if they have any concerns.

Elevate Webinars

All parents as part of our partnership with Elevate Education have free access to Elevate Parent webinars. Over the next term, you are invited to join their parent webinar series, where you can help support your child at home by reinforcing the skills they are learning at school.

Upcoming Term 2 Webinars
How You Can Help Your Child Prepare for Exams – 21st May 6:30pm (AEST)
How You Can Support Your Child During Exams - 4th June 6:30pm (AEST)
Ask Me Anything (Live Q&A) - 18th June 6:30pm (AEST)
How to Help Your Child Alleviate Stress – 2nd July 6:30pm (AEST)

Register for the series by clicking the link below and learn some great practical strategies to help support your child this year.
Elevate Education Term 2 webinars and registration.

Year 12 Parent/Teacher Night

Year 12 parents will have an opportunity next Tuesday, 13 May, to discuss their son’s progress with their teachers. This evening provides a valuable opportunity to meet your son’s teachers and engage in meaningful conversations about his academic progress.

These interviews are especially important as students use feedback to continually improve as they prepare for the upcoming Trial HSC Examinations in Term 3 and later HSC Examinations. Discussions with your son’s teachers offer a chance to raise any concerns, ask questions, and gain a clearer understanding of your son’s learning goals and progress.

The partnerships we foster between school and home are key in ensuring we provide each student the opportunity to reach their full potential. I encourage parents to ask questions and seek clarity around the learning intentions and goals of your son’s. Our teachers are passionate about their specialist subjects and care about each of their students.

The College offers a variety of Intervention Programs at school along with our Tutor Program after school to support all students to reach their learning goals and aspirations. By building positive relationships we can create a partnership to help support all students to reach their potential in this challenging HSC year.

SCS Debating Competition

We are thrilled to share that our school's debating team continues to shine this season! With each round, our students demonstrate not only sharp critical thinking and eloquence but also unwavering teamwork and resilience. Their dedication and passion for public speaking are truly inspiring. This week we debated against Bethany College with our Year 7, 8, and 9 teams winning their debates. Our Year 10 and Senior Team narrowly missed out expressing a great argument on this week's topics.

A huge thank you to Ms Adamson for her coordination and our coaches Mr Pentecost, Mr Steel, Ms Heeson and Miss Todeski. Additionally, a huge thank you to Ms Gambian, Ms Davies and Mrs Ferre who adjudicated this week and all our families who support each week.

Goodluck to all our teams as they advance through the competition!

Mrs Gina Stavropoulos
Leader of Teaching and Learning

Year 9 Engineering Students Build Bridges Across States

On Thursday, 8 May, our Year 9 Engineering class participated in a Bridge themed Engineering Tomorrow online workshop—a dynamic, live-streamed Engineering incursion connecting 40 schools across Victoria and New South Wales.

Five teams tackled concepts of bridge design employing civil engineering principles and utilising a construction pack to build a bridge that not only met specified design criteria but could also support a weight load during a live strength test.

The bridges were constructed using limited materials and were suspended between chairs for testing, with weights applied progressively while students presented their structural design thinking.

The day concluded with a keynote address by engineer Mark Tarrant, providing insights into real-world engineering applications.

Congratulations to all students for their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving on the day—their innovative designs and professional presentations were a highlight!

Mr Thomas Saludo
TAS/Technologies Teacher

Leader of Student Wellbeing

School TV Special Report: Shaping Healthy Masculinity

In today's fast-moving world, many boys are struggling to find direction. Even well-meaning online searches about fitness, confidence or relationships can lead them to content that promotes rigid or unhealthy ideas about masculinity. The critically acclaimed TV show 'Adolescence' has brought fresh attention to this issue, highlighting how boys are often exposed to messages that glorify toughness and dominance, while dismissing empathy and emotional openness.

These outdated beliefs can limit emotional growth and impact how boys relate to others - with real consequences in schools, homes and communities. That's why it's more important than ever to guide boys with care, clarity and connection.

By offering healthier role models, safe spaces to talk, and encouraging respectful friendships - especially across genders - we can help boys develop the confidence, empathy and relationship skills they need to thrive.

This special report calls for a cultural shift and advocates for curiosity-driven dialogue that builds trust and critical thinking. The goal is to raise boys who are not just resistant to harmful influences, but actively capable of questioning and rejecting them.

Here is the link to your Special Report.

Year 7 Camp

By Tim, Andre, John, Josh and Arjun – Year 7

Last week all the Year 7 boys had an incredible time at camp, the air was crisp, the lake calm, and the excitement electric. Stand-up paddleboarding tested our balance, with plenty of splashes and laughter. Kayaking pushed our teamwork, gliding smoothly over the water. Archery tag had us dodging and aiming, strategy woven into every move. Cart building was all about creative engineering and speed—wheels wobbling, teammates cheering, and victory uncertain until the last moment. The puzzle room was a race against time, minds buzzing, hands scrambling to crack the codes. And trivia night? A battle of wits, where unexpected knowledge won the day. But camp wasn’t just about activities. It was about whispered late-night talks, shared victories, and the quiet strength of friendship. Bonds formed over challenges, laughter, and the thrill of adventure. As we packed up, we carried more than our gear—we carried memories and new friendships, the kind that stay long even after the last paddle stroke fades. As the final echoes of laughter faded into the crisp air, we knew that the bonds forged into this adventure would last far beyond the campfire’s glow.

All of us Year 7 boys are grateful for the generous teachers who came along and gave up their time for us, camp wouldn't be the same without them.